UP govt to rope in young bureaucrats to guide its intermediate students for competitive exams

In a commendable move to prepare students of government intermediate colleges for competitive examinations, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to rope in the services of the cadre officers of the IAS, IPS, and IFoS. The govt has directed the Education Department to formulate a programme to ensure young state-cadre officers hold regular interactions with these students to motivate and provide them career guidance for competitive examinations.

The Additional Chief Secretary of the Secondary Education department, Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma (IAS:1994:UP), has issued directions to the Director General of School Education to ensure effective monitoring of the programme.

Directions have also been issued to the Director, Secondary Education, all divisional joint directors; and all district inspectors of schools.

The three All India Service officers will be guiding the students in preparation for NDA, JEE, NEET, CUET, and other examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC), Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), and Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC).

Besides, the programmes will also provide information about opportunities in higher education, technical education, vocational education, entrepreneurship, and start-ups.

Further, the students will also be provided information regarding major central and state government schemes launched for the youth.

It is learnt that during interactions, question-and-answer sessions will be given a priority. The sessions will also focus on setting life goals and career planning, effective study methods, time management, and self-discipline.

According to plan, young IAS, IPS, and IFoS officers posted in the districts will visit at least one intermediate school every month and interact with students.

The District Magistrates will prepare a monthly calendar of these interactions and submit a brief report to the secondary education department by the 5th of every month. The report will include the number of school visits, names of schools, officers who participated in the programmes, key topics discussed, and suggestions received from students.

The Divisional Commissioners have been entrusted with the task of conducting a periodical review of the programme at their level.

The schools’ inspectors of all districts have to inform the schools concerned about the programme and ensure coordination between the officers and school managements.

To broaden the scope of discussions, these interactions will also include topics such as financial skills, communication skills, business management, cyber security, de-addiction, stress management, and confidence building.

The idea is to provide inspiration for students through the experiences of the officers, their working methods, and life struggles during interactions and help them find the right direction in life.